By Oleg Boldyrev and Laura Gozzi, BBC News
Alexey Navalny had been incarcerated since February 2021 and was transferred to IK-3 in December.
IK-3, where Alexei Navalny is detained, stands out as the most stringent penal facility, reserved for individuals accused of the most severe offenses.
Dubbed as the “Polar Wolf,” this facility is situated in the Yamalo-Nenets region, well beyond the Arctic Circle, subjecting inmates to extremely harsh conditions.
Known for its practice of collective punishment, IK-3 experiences an average winter temperature of -20C.
Inmates have recounted instances where they were collectively penalized for others’ infractions, such as being forced to stand outside in the winter without proper attire. Those who failed to comply faced the consequence of being drenched with cold water.
The ground remains blanketed in snow for extended periods, eventually giving way to slushy mud as temperatures rise above freezing, typically around May.
During the summer months, prisoners are compelled to strip down to their waists, enduring swarms of mosquitoes.
With the arrival of summer, the days stretch endlessly without nights, exacting a heavy physical toll on the inmates.
Navalny’s daily routine has been solitary and isolating, both during his time at IK-3 since December and previously at the IK-6 facility in Melekhovo, located to the east of Moscow.
Since 2022, he has spent close to 300 days in solitary confinement, with only a brief daily walk permitted in a nearby cell courtyard covered in snow.
His view outside the window was obstructed by a tall fence, shrouded in perpetual darkness. In the winter months within the Arctic Circle, daylight is a rarity, with dusk prevailing at best.
Facing an extended prison sentence, Navalny sought ways to maintain his relevance.
He lodged complaints regarding the prison conditions, enabling him to make regular court appearances and deliver statements on camera. Additionally, he endeavored to establish a prisoners’ trade union advocating for improved working conditions at the jail’s sewing factory.
He made deliberate efforts to ensure he remained in the public eye.
Known for his sharp wit, Navalny consistently attempted to inject humor into his dire circumstances.
Through social media updates shared by his legal representatives, he humorously narrated his experiences within the prison walls, showcasing a resilient spirit amidst adversity.
Reflecting on spending New Year’s Day in a punishment cell, he quipped, “It unfolds like any other day: wake-up call at 05:00, lights out at 21:00. For the first time since I was six, I slept through New Year’s Eve. Overall, not bad. People pay to experience a unique New Year celebration, but I got it for free.”
Nevertheless, his daily existence undoubtedly posed significant challenges.
In January 2023, Navalny recounted being paired with a new cellmate grappling with severe mental health issues.
Describing his cellmate’s distressing behavior, he likened it to individuals online claiming demonic possession, with incessant guttural screams lasting for hours on end.
A glimpse of the IK-3 penal colony, where Alexey Navalny was detained from December onwards.
On another occasion, he shared a cell with an individual plagued by severe hygiene deficiencies.
Living in close quarters with someone enduring such challenges in a confined space exacerbated the already harsh conditions of imprisonment.
Navalny was convinced that the placement of these problematic cellmates was a deliberate tactic by the Russian prison system to intensify the hardships faced by inmates.
At 47, Navalny, despite his relatively young age, bore the physical toll of being poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok and enduring a prolonged coma. The austere conditions of prison life further deteriorated his health.
In December, he disclosed being denied access to dental care for 18 months.
Additionally, he grappled with severe back issues, leading to difficulties in mobility and sensation loss in one leg, indicating a potential herniated disk.
Despite his outward appearance of composure and humor in court, each subsequent appearance revealed a visibly emaciated figure.
In 2023, over 500 Russian medical professionals signed a petition urging for Navalny to receive medical attention from a civilian doctor, citing his complaints of a persistent cough and fever while sharing a cell with a tuberculosis-infected inmate.
Russian prisons have a notorious history of physical and psychological torture, with inmates often subjected to abuse by fellow prisoners aligned with the authorities. The implementation of unattainable rules further compounds the mental anguish experienced by detainees.
Official statistics from the federal prison system report an annual average of 1,400-2,000 prison-related deaths over the past five years, predominantly attributed to cardiac issues.
However, legal experts like Irina Birykova express skepticism towards these explanations, highlighting the potential for concealing other causes of death, including suicides or violence perpetrated by inmates or guards.
Navalny’s passing has reverberated deeply among Russians who viewed him as a symbol of opposition.
While his leadership in Russia’s opposition movement may have ceased, there lingered a hope that the political landscape could evolve, allowing Navalny to reemerge.
In scenarios where Vladimir Putin might need to negotiate his own safety or freedom, Navalny could have been a pivotal figure in such discussions.
Presently, the prevailing sentiment suggests dwindling prospects for significant protests. Individuals may commemorate Navalny’s legacy in their own ways, honoring his memory in the locations where he once stood.
Despite the lack of widespread public demonstrations following Navalny’s demise, many Russians privately mourn his loss, marking yet another somber day and a diminishing of hope.